Whatever's going on in your life, people can be quick to give you their advice on the matter, often without being asked. It usually starts with, "If I were you..." or "If it was me..." but the reality is that they aren't you and it's not their life. As well intentioned as the advice may be, it might not be right for you. Of course, it's always good to listen to other people's advice, whether you have asked for it or not, but it's important to remember that you don't have to take it.
One of the most profound things I ever heard was that before taking someone's advice, check to see whether you want their life. You see, it is likely that the advice they're giving is based on the life that they have and although what they're saying may be incredibly valuable, it might lead you in a direction you don't particularly want to go. So, before you accept, adopt or act on any advice, just have a look at the life of the person who is offering it and decide whether that is a life you would like to be living.
The other thing to recognise is that what you're being given may not be objective. If you are speaking with someone you know, then they may well have a vested interest in the outcome of your situation. It can be very difficult to get impartial advice from someone who is a part of your life. This is why it can be so beneficial to see a therapist of some sort. Not necessarily a counsellor or psychotherapist, although that can be life changing. I sometimes talk things through with my massage therapist and welcome her thoughts. I know for a lot of people their hairdresser/barber is their 'go to' when it comes to objective advice.
Ultimately, it is always respectful and usually beneficial to listen to those who have gone before you and even if any advice given isn't right for you at the time, it may be at some point in the future. There will always be golden nuggets of wisdom to gleam from someone else's personal experiences. So, my advice is this (did you see what I did there?), always be open to what others have to say but make sure it will be appropriate, and of value to you, before you take it!
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